Roger Gifford

Roger Gifford

Roger Gifford is the 685th Lord Mayor of the City of London, whose one-year term began on 9 November 2012. He was elected as Alderman for the Ward of Cordwainer in the City of London in 2004 and 2011. He is a former Chairman (2007-11) and current Vice-Chairman of the Association of Foreign Banks, which represents all foreign banks based in London

SOME 160 years ago, a wave of UK companies and engineers – among them my own great, great grandfather – crossed the Atlantic to help develop Latin America’s railways in a remarkable feat of Victorian entrepreneurship.

NOW that summer has finally arrived, bringing with it a welcome burst of sunshine, there is no better way to celebrate the great outdoors than by enjoying the range of cultural activities available across the Square Mile.

EVENTS of the past week – the Banking Commission’s report, the chancellor’s speech at Mansion House, and the departures of Stephen Hester from RBS as well as Paul Tucker from the Bank of England – have given us plenty to chew on.

THE news that several London boroughs – including some that neighbour the Square Mile – are among the areas worst-hit by child poverty is a stark reminder of the tough economic climate many people are facing across the capital.

NOW the curtain has closed on a glorious 2012 for London and Britain, the stage is already being prepared for a very different year ahead. We’ll need to build on recent achievements to deliver a tangible legacy for future generations.

FEAR that the UK could slip into a triple-dip recession heightened last week, as the services sector posted an unexpected slowdown. Yet remarkably, over half of us are still giving to good causes, despite the challenging economic outlook.

IN THE 35 years since I first started working in the Square Mile, I have seen many things change. But one constant over this period is that the success of our financial services industry continues to be dependent on the concept of service.